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Moving into a new home is always the start of a new chapter. You might be relocating to a completely different city or part of the country, beginning a new job and suddenly trying to make new friends and connections. But when you start this new chapter, you might want to hope that whoever wrote it wasn’t someone like Stephen King. There’s a reason why moving into a new house is the premise of so many horror films…

Below, we’ve gathered photos of some of the creepiest and most disturbing things people have discovered in their new homes, houses they have rented and homes they have considered buying. Many of these pics are inexplicable, but they might still send a chill down your spine. Keep reading to also find an interview we were lucky enough to receive from author and host of the American Hauntings podcast, Troy Taylor, to hear his thoughts on what moving into a creepy house might mean. 

Be sure to upvote the photos that would send you running out of the house or rushing to re-list the property, and feel free to share any of your own personal stories in the comments, if you’ve ever stumbled upon frightening things in your home. Then if you’re interested in checking out even more of these spooky photos that could inspire a thrilling horror movie, you can find Bored Panda’s last article on the same topic right here.

#1

John Wayne Gacy Did Construction For My Grandparents And We Found His Business Card While Going Through Some Stuff Today

John Wayne Gacy Did Construction For My Grandparents And We Found His Business Card While Going Through Some Stuff Today

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Manomnomnom
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me this is the scariest thing on this list so far because we know the story behind this one...

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I’m currently reading Pet Sematary, and although I’m only about one tenth into the story, I know that the family moving into this new house can’t mean anything good. Thankfully, I’ve never experienced anything spooky or paranormal in any of the homes I’ve ever lived in or rented, but clearly, many other people have discovered disturbing things. They might mean nothing, but the simple fact that there was a pentagram carved into my attic or a lineup of naked mannequins in the basement would be enough to give me the heebie-jeebies. 

I was curious how likely it is that any of these homes are actually haunted. We see portrayals of ghosts and hauntings in films all the time, but are they really as common as Hollywood has led me to believe? To answer this question, I reached out to Troy Taylor, author and host of the American Hauntings podcast. We asked Troy if it is common for people to move into haunted houses or if it’s more likely just paranoia when new homeowners suspect something is up. “It can certainly be both,” Troy told Bored Panda. “We are always thrown off a bit by anything new, especially a place where you have never stayed, and yet you’re now expected to sleep, eat, and live there. It’s new, and it can be unnerving.”

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#2

The Previous Owner Of My New Home Left A Few Things In The Attic. This Card Slipped Out When I Moved The Bag

The Previous Owner Of My New Home Left A Few Things In The Attic. This Card Slipped Out When I Moved The Bag

It's a plastic Christmas tree.

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#3

Our New To Us House Has A Secret Panic Room That Wasn't Included In The Listing. Built In 1978 And I Love This Place

Our New To Us House Has A Secret Panic Room That Wasn't Included In The Listing. Built In 1978 And I Love This Place

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But Troy notes that we can’t always rule out the fact that our house might be telling us something. “From the other side of it, every house has a past, even relatively new ones,” he says. “It doesn’t have to have been a place where deaths occurred, or murders were covered up – nothing that dramatic. The residents of that home leave a little bit of themselves behind, both physically and psychologically.”

“Have you ever visited someone’s home just after an argument has taken place? There’s just something in the atmosphere that feels ‘off’. Now, imagine a century or so of that kind of thing taking place in a home, and you have what some would consider a ‘haunted house’, even if there aren’t any spirits present,” Troy explained.

#4

I Was Helping My Dad Move Into His New Office, When We Found A Trapdoor

I Was Helping My Dad Move Into His New Office, When We Found A Trapdoor

We hadn't seen this when originally checking the place out. Lots of 50's - 60's era blueprints/technical drawings, a newspaper from 1937, and gears with 1950's lightbulb for scale.

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#5

Went Into The Attic Of A House We Were Looking At And

Went Into The Attic Of A House We Were Looking At And

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#6

Looking For Somewhere To Stay On Airbnb. Found The House Of Nope

Looking For Somewhere To Stay On Airbnb. Found The House Of Nope

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Ed Brandon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at the bed!! You'd sleep with one of those things literally right over you!? F-that!

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We then asked Troy if a homeowner should be concerned if they suspect that their home may be haunted. “First, let me say that genuine haunted houses are somewhat rare,” he noted. “No matter how odd things might seem, there’s a good chance they have a natural explanation. Determining this is the first thing you should do. Relax and be a good observer, even if you are frightened by what you think is happening.”

“Are those ‘ghostly footsteps’ simply the house settling or the floorboards creaking? Is that ‘cold chill’ merely a draft? Maybe these events have explanations, or maybe they don’t,” Troy told Bored Panda. “Just don’t let your imagination run away with you or soon, every bump in the night will be a vengeful spirit and every curtain that moves in the wind will be an apparition.”

#7

Doing Electrical Work In This House That Was Built In The 1800s And There’s A Prison Cell Under The Basement Stairs

Doing Electrical Work In This House That Was Built In The 1800s And There’s A Prison Cell Under The Basement Stairs

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#8

Found This In The Basement Of My New House

Found This In The Basement Of My New House

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Bobert Robertson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When we moved into our first home we found out soon after that the kids room who lived there before us had a lock on the outside of the bedroom as if to lock him in.... made me feel sick for that child so we reported it in case something was going on

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#9

My Brother Is A Home Inspector, This One Is Definitely Going In His Report

My Brother Is A Home Inspector, This One Is Definitely Going In His Report

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And when it comes to what homeowners should do if they are really concerned that something may be up in their home, Troy says, “The best way to rule out any kind of natural explanation is to keep a journal of anything that occurs in the house that you think might be spook-related.”

“Write down whatever you see, hear, or even smell that seems odd and you just might see a pattern emerge – a ghostly or non-ghostly one. Write down the time and date, make a note of who was present, and describe what you experienced,” Troy told Bored Panda. “It might turn out that the strangeness happens at the same time every day or in the same location. This will be valuable information if you decide to involve a ghost hunter in your situation.”

#10

Pulled Up The Carpets In Newly Purchased House To Find This

Pulled Up The Carpets In Newly Purchased House To Find This

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#11

Stayed Over At My Great-Grandma's Thursday. This Thing Kept Me Awake All Night

Stayed Over At My Great-Grandma's Thursday. This Thing Kept Me Awake All Night

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#12

Found This In My Girlfriend's Loft. She Only Moved In 3 Months Ago And Says She Has Never Been Up There. Guess What My Name Is

Found This In My Girlfriend's Loft. She Only Moved In 3 Months Ago And Says She Has Never Been Up There. Guess What My Name Is

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We then asked Troy at what point he would recommend that homeowners involve a ghost hunter or outside help to feel more peace at home. “Before inviting ghost hunters, ministers, or priests to your home because you believe you have a ghost, consider that in almost every case, ghosts don’t hurt people,” Troy said. “Spirits usually linger at places where they left some unfinished business in life. They can be unsettling but are very rarely dangerous. In most cases, simply asking a ghost to leave your home or making a deal with it not to bother you will generally work. You’ll feel silly doing it, but it’s worth the effort.” Good manners can go a long way in life, even with ghosts.

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#13

Staying In An Airbnb. Woke Up This Morning To Find The Cover To Access The Attic Completely Moved

Staying In An Airbnb. Woke Up This Morning To Find The Cover To Access The Attic Completely Moved

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Rebekah
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are red flags. And then their are screaming red mountains of flags.

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#14

A Friend Who Is A Realtor Turned On The Light Switch For Clients When Viewing A House And Almost Ran Out Of The House

A Friend Who Is A Realtor Turned On The Light Switch For Clients When Viewing A House And Almost Ran Out Of The House

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Troy also says to be wary who you invite into your home in search of ghosts. “If you do contact ghost hunters, make sure they are legitimate,” Troy says. “Ask for references and ask for qualifications. Make sure their knowledge doesn’t come from watching television shows and wearing matching black t-shirts. You are allowing them into your home so be sure you know what you’re getting into with an investigation. They are not coming in to be ‘ghostbusters’. They are merely trying to verify – or debunk – what you believe about your haunted house. They should never ask for money to do an investigation. If they do, run away quickly!”

#16

The Former Homeowners Forgot Someone

The Former Homeowners Forgot Someone

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#17

I Also Had Military Ordnance Hidden In My House

I Also Had Military Ordnance Hidden In My House

I bought the house in April, 2005. Three months later, I was considering running a new cable TV drop. So I grabbed a flashlight and went to a closet in the basement where I was considering drilling the hole for the cable when I noticed something shiny behind a random and oddly placed small section of peg board. I pulled the peg board back and noticed 3 silver cylinders a little bigger than a cigar. I took one and read the label. To my amusement, they were military issue parachute flares that I assumed were used in Vietnam. It wasn’t until then that I noticed the much bigger black cylinder. I am not a military man, but I know what Comp B is! So naturally, I freaked out. I rounded up the family, told my wife to take them to Grandma’s. I called the police and explained the situation and the officer that answered seemed a bit amused by my story, he told me to hold on while he spoke to his colleague and I heard him say: “I want to go, I gotta see this”. So the police show up, I took them to the basement, they took one look at the ordnance and decided it was best to stay outside. They contacted Selfridge Air Force base (I live in SE Michigan) and while they waited, they were discussing possibly evacuating some of my neighbors (who I hadn’t even met yet) and closing the entire block. At this point, there are about 3 police cars in front of my house and the neighbors are getting curious. It is 11 PM on a Thursday and every neighbor within 10 houses is on their porch. It was then, that 3 black unmarked Suburbans with US Government plates pull up to my house. Needless to say, at this point almost every neighbor on the block was outside, trying to figure out what was happening. After all, we were the new unknown neighbors who kept to ourselves. So the military took the mortar and the parachute flares. They checked the rest of the basement and found nothing, then left. The house was built in 1970, I assume the mortar and flares had been there since the 1st owner.

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#18

More Fun Things Found In My New House. This Is On The Wallpaper In The Closet In The Bathroom

More Fun Things Found In My New House. This Is On The Wallpaper In The Closet In The Bathroom

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“Some people want to get rid of their ghosts, and that can be tricky," Troy says. "There are a lot of people out there who say they can do this, but before you choose one, you’ll also want to ask them for references, especially if they ask for money. You are better off contacting someone from your religion of choice and asking them for help. They may not want to get involved – or you may be embarrassed – but for a lot of people, a minister’s involvement brings a lot of comfort."

#19

Why Are There Bones In My Basement?

Why Are There Bones In My Basement?

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#20

Moved Into A House And Found These Symbols Under Panelling

Moved Into A House And Found These Symbols Under Panelling

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achilles get down from there
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha! Some of those are directly out of Supernatural - I see a Devils Trap, Angel Warding, a Reapers Trap, and the Men of Letter sign! All in the classic red paint!

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#21

Just Bought A New House Cleaning Out A Dresser In The Basement And Came Across These

Just Bought A New House Cleaning Out A Dresser In The Basement And Came Across These

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At the end of the day, Troy says having a haunted house is not the end of the world. “If your house does turn out to be haunted – relax and enjoy it. A resident ghost is almost guaranteed never to hurt you. It just wants attention. There’s nothing to be afraid of, and a peaceful co-existence is simple to maintain. And just think of the stories you’ll have to tell your grandchildren!”

If you’d like to learn more about American Hauntings from Troy, be sure to check out their website right here, and if you’d like to listen to the spooky stories shared on the American Hauntings podcast, you can find that right here.

#22

I Moved Into A New House, Only To Be Told The Previous Tenants Were Hardcore Drug Dealers. This Is The Basement

I Moved Into A New House, Only To Be Told The Previous Tenants Were Hardcore Drug Dealers. This Is The Basement

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Alessa Gillespie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean is it really that hard/expensive to do a paint job before listing the house?

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#23

We Recently Started Renting A New House, Not Sure What To Make Of This

We Recently Started Renting A New House, Not Sure What To Make Of This

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#24

This Old Coin Purse Full Of Teeth I Just Found In My Basement

This Old Coin Purse Full Of Teeth I Just Found In My Basement

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If you found any of these things in your home, would you go running out the front door or start trying to make a deal with any potential ghosts in the home that they don’t harm you? Keep upvoting the photos that you find particularly unsettling, and feel free to share about any creepy discoveries you’ve made in your home in the comments below. Then, if you’re looking for another Bored Panda article that might scare you into never moving out of your current home, you can find our previous publication on the same topic right here

#25

My Friend Was Traveling And Slept At A Stranger's House, Who Had This Standing In A Room

My Friend Was Traveling And Slept At A Stranger's House, Who Had This Standing In A Room

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#26

Went On Vacation And Found This In The Yard Of The Place We Rented

Went On Vacation And Found This In The Yard Of The Place We Rented

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#27

I Found A Gravestone Under My Recently Purchased Home

I Found A Gravestone Under My Recently Purchased Home

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Sleestak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least you'll know her name when she starts moving your things around

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#28

These Are Photos We Found When Moving Into Our New Student Housing Today

These Are Photos We Found When Moving Into Our New Student Housing Today

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#29

I Checked Into My Airbnb Apartment In Seattle Today And Saw This When I Opened The Fridge

I Checked Into My Airbnb Apartment In Seattle Today And Saw This When I Opened The Fridge

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#30

Found Inside The Wall Of My New House

Found Inside The Wall Of My New House

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#31

Moved Into Our New House A Few Months Back, A Mysterious Card Appears, I Will Not Be Opening Any Mail Named For This Person Ever Again

Moved Into Our New House A Few Months Back, A Mysterious Card Appears, I Will Not Be Opening Any Mail Named For This Person Ever Again

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#32

The House My Grandparents Bought Has A Hidden Basement That They Weren't Told About. It's Full Of Boxes

The House My Grandparents Bought Has A Hidden Basement That They Weren't Told About. It's Full Of Boxes

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#33

Makeshift “Shrine” We Found In Our New Houses Attic

Makeshift “Shrine” We Found In Our New Houses Attic

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#34

So I Arrived At The Cabin I'm Staying At

So I Arrived At The Cabin I'm Staying At

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Mayra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I thought the cabin I rented was weird for not having a T.V.

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#35

Found A Hidden Room In My New House Today

Found A Hidden Room In My New House Today

So today my family hosted a home welcoming party. While we were sitting on the back porch my mother noticed and commented on how there is a large amount of missing space of what the layout on the 2nd floor should be. Upon hearing this two of our guests immediately started asking if they can go upstairs and pokes some holes in the wall. I follow the two guests upstairs and they see where the missing space should be. They then kick a hole in the wall inside the bathroom closet to reveal this room. The room is about 10x5' and none of us have any idea why it was boarded up.

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#37

Moving Into A New House, I Left The Door Open When I Went Across Town To Get More Stuff. I Find This On My Camera Days Later

Moving Into A New House, I Left The Door Open When I Went Across Town To Get More Stuff. I Find This On My Camera Days Later

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#38

Bought My House 6 Months Ago And Found This Hidden Safe When Removing An Old Stove That Was Left Here

Bought My House 6 Months Ago And Found This Hidden Safe When Removing An Old Stove That Was Left Here

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#39

This Little Old Lady That Came With Our Home

This Little Old Lady That Came With Our Home

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#40

Found This On Our Front Porch After The Second Night In Our New House. Yes, That Is A Human Tooth

Found This On Our Front Porch After The Second Night In Our New House. Yes, That Is A Human Tooth

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#41

The Only Picture On The Wall Of The Bedroom In The Airbnb We Just Stayed At

The Only Picture On The Wall Of The Bedroom In The Airbnb We Just Stayed At

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#42

My Mom Found This While Raking Leaves In The Yard Of Our New House. Does Anyone Know What This Is? We Named Him Geneva. Help

My Mom Found This While Raking Leaves In The Yard Of Our New House. Does Anyone Know What This Is? We Named Him Geneva. Help

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#43

Not An Electrician, But I Just Bought My First House And Discovered This In The Attic. Seems Legit

Not An Electrician, But I Just Bought My First House And Discovered This In The Attic. Seems Legit

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#44

Family Bought A House To Flip A Few Years Ago. There Was A 7-Foot-Tall Headless Santa In The Basement Along With Cat Skeletons

Family Bought A House To Flip A Few Years Ago. There Was A 7-Foot-Tall Headless Santa In The Basement Along With Cat Skeletons

It was built in the basement of a Victorian Era home that was demolished.

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#45

Just Moved Into My First House, Found This On The Front Porch... Is This A Message?

Just Moved Into My First House, Found This On The Front Porch... Is This A Message?

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#46

Found This Old Ouija Board In The Attic Of My More Than 100-Year-Old House

Found This Old Ouija Board In The Attic Of My More Than 100-Year-Old House

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#47

Found A Sword On A High Shelf In My New House

Found A Sword On A High Shelf In My New House

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#49

Basement Wall Of A Home For Sale In My Neighborhood. Only 2 Families Have Occupied This Residence Since 1817

Basement Wall Of A Home For Sale In My Neighborhood. Only 2 Families Have Occupied This Residence Since 1817

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#50

Saw This While Working At Someone's House

Saw This While Working At Someone's House

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Shyla Bouche
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've heard of people representing Jesus as black, but never as a Barbie.

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Note: this post originally had 115 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.